republicans say the bar is high for the president, a skilled debater and think that mitt romney's aggressive style may throw the president off. >> he has the facts and he is tenacious and that is the difference between four years ago and this time. >> the democrats say he has to be specific. >> americans are looking for details and i think he will seek president obama continue to do that. >> president obama is three points ahead with likely voters with mitt romney gaining ground. >> those voters are likely to be hispanic and ages 29 or so. as a consequence of this being slightly older and less hispanic, it moves to the direction of mitt romney. >> mitt romney is closing the gap in virginia and florida but not ohio where the president is maintaining a strong lead going into the debate tonight. despite what we found in our own nbc poll, 60 million people are expected to watch tonight. > >> good afternoon, after a dreary start to the day, it looks like things are breaking up a little bit through lunchtime. 76 degrees at the airport right now. we have been able to warm up a few degrees and we ca